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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS / ECUADOR / PERU

Adventures Afloat: The Best of the Galápagos and Peru: From Enchanted Islands to Machu Picchu

I am traveling on the May 8th trip. Has anyone traveled at that same time before? I am wondering about how heavy of a jacket is needed. Is a sweatshirt enough? Also what kind of gear did you take when you got on to the islands from the boat. Backpack? Do you really need to carry anything besides your camera?

Rebecca - We just got back. Depending on the landing, take a backpack with sunscreen, bug spray, hiking poles, camera in a dry bag, bincoculars and always water. Bring a refillable water bottle. They have a large jug on board. We were able to put our life jackers on over our backbacks. The crew carries towels.

Rhonda - We just got back yesterday from this trip and did not think that the second day was needed. We regretted buying the tickets ahead of time. No one else from our group did. The itinerary showed just an afternoon at the top and we wanted to hike around on our own especially to the Sun Gate. But the schedule aactually allowed for the tour in the morning, a huge lunch and time for hiking. If you want to make it to the Sun Gate just skip lunch. One caveat. If it is cloudy your first day, you might want to buy some tickets for the second day after your first day and see if you can get some better pioctures. Our experience was just to opposite. Total cloud cover the second day.

My group - we traveled on the Yolita II mid January -had very little digestive issues. We all loved the trip, adored our guide Edgar, but I think most of us would agree with John H. below, that the Yolita II was VERY musty and the food was pretty inconsistent - the bar was very, very limited. I have raved about the trip to many friends and encourage them to reserve a spot, as long as they can take the conditions on the Yolita II in stride. It is over a month since we returned and still my suitcases smell of the Yolita, despite several efforts to rid them of the mustiness.

I went on this boat 2 years ago, so plenty may have changed. First, the bad: The boat is fine, but it's no Viking River Cruise. It had supposedly been rehabbed about 4 months before our trip, but that was not evident. The rooms are small, as expected, carpets kind of musty, and cosmetic blemishes I would have thought would be fixed. That being said, the dining/lounge area was nice, food was very good (but a bit repetitive after 7 days), the tour guide was terrific, and the crew accomodating. While not as luxurious as I assume the large boats are, the small group was great, and everyone got along well. Set your mind to its being an exploration adventure rather than a luxury cruise and you'll have the trip of a lifetime. Have fun!

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